Flare vs. Flair
Words that sound exactly the same are confusing! We call these words homophones because they may sound the same but are spelled differently and mean different things. Let's look at a pair of homophones-flare and flair-so that you can understand their different meanings and use them correctly in your writing.
Flare is a word that can function as a noun or a verb.
As a noun, it means a sudden burst of light or flame or the device that produces the light or flame. It can also mean a widening around the bottom of a pair of pants or a skirt.
1. So that the rescuers could see us in the dark, my father sent up a flare.
2. The jeans that I wear with my boots have a flare around the bottom.
3. The flare from the sun caused interference for the satellites in the Earth's orbit.
As a verb, flare means the action of sudden emotion or sudden heat, or can refer to the act of widening.
1. His nostrils flared when he smelled the acrid smoke from the burning leaves.
2. The anger between the two friends flared when one broke the other's bike.
3. The recent terrorist attacks have caused a flare of panic.
Flair is a word that functions as a noun and refers to a gift or ability in a certain area; or to a sense of originality in relation to fashion.
1. Matthew has a flair for the stage, winning role after role in the local theater.
2. My grandmother, who has a flair for fashion, never leaves home without plenty of accessories and a matching purse.
As you can see, these two words may sound the same, but they have very different meanings. Here's hoping that this explanation helps you add some flair to your writing!
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